Deep Fried What?

Fast food has always been a big draw at The Ex, Toronto's annual uber-fair that lasts two whole weeks and has something for everyone.

When I was a kid, it was the only place you could get cotton candy (in pink only) and waffle sandwiches. And oh my, what a treat we thought both of those were. Cotton candy - sugar on a stick; waffle sandwiches - how come our moms didn't make these on Sunday mornings at home? Maybe because our moms knew that there was something inherently wrong with putting ice cream between waffles. Maybe because they understood the magic of only having this at The Ex.

Our mom's would flip if they knew what you can get now at The Ex: chocolate covered bacon, and this year's hottest item, deep fried butter. Deep fried what? Yeah, butter. And this little treat has received enough press this year to make George Smitherman jealous. There are videos on YouTube, groups on Facebook, Tweets galore and blogs, oh my!

People are either intrigued or disgusted; there's no middle ground with deep fried butter. Compared to other treats like deep fried candy bars, cookie dough and the highly anticipated deep fried beer, everyone has an opinion. And when they hate it, they really really hate it. "Ugh... that just makes me want to puke," "This thing makes smoking look healthy," or, well, you get the idea.

There's another treat that I don't think even made it to The Ex this year - the Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger. Yup. I bet the future product development guys at Tim Horton's are working overtime on that one for next year's Ex.

So here's what I think: come on, lighten up everyone.

First of all, if it sounds so bad to you, then don't eat it. You know, when you nutritionists are having your spelt-topped quinoa with a side of spinach for breakfast, I don't go on and on about it do I? OK, at least not out loud. So maybe all your high-horse comments about this new delicacy might best be said in your quiet voice too?

But even more, how about if you just step back a bit and realize that no one's suggesting any of these things become daily fare, you know? This is the Ex! It's once a year, it's sometimes weird, it's sometimes wonderful, and it's always magic. Pass the butter please.

(In other unrelated news, the Savannah, Georgia public school system has teamed up with celebrity chef Paula Deen to develop a new culinary arts school for youth.)